Symphonic Essentials

About this playlist

From stirring openings to flourishing finales and all the beautiful themes in between, this list will guide you through the evolution of the symphony from its beginnings in 18th Century Germany through to today. Drawing on themes as diverse as love and war, and inspired by everything from travel to grief, the symphony is an enduringly fascinating musical form.

Tracklist

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550: I. Molto allegro

Sir Roger Norrington

6:57

Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major, Op. 68

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto

London Philharmonic Orchestra/Klaus Tennstedt

9:34

Dvořák: Symphony No.9 in E minor, B178

4. Allegro con fuoco

Czech Philharmonic

11:53

Haydn: Symphony No.94 in G major, Hob I/94

II. Andante

Heidelberger Sinfoniker

6:57

Sibelius: Symphony No.5 in E-flat major, Op. 82

III. Allegro molto - Largamente assai

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

9:51

Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A major, Op. 92

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92: II. Allegretto

Sir Simon Rattle

8:25

Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, H48

Symphonie Fantastique, Op.14: II. Un bal

London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Colin Davis

6:36

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4, Op. 36

4. Finale (Allegro con fuoco)

Los Angeles Philharmonic

8:38

Schubert: Symphony No.8 in B minor, D759

I. Allegro moderato

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

13:31

Elgar: Symphony No.2 in Eb major, Op. 63

1. Allegro vivace e nobilmente

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

16:13

Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op. 67

1. Allegro con brio

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

7:07

Mahler: Symphony No.5 in C-sharp minor

4. Adagietto (Sehr langsam)

Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela

10:46

Schubert: Symphony No.5 in Bb major, D485

4. Allegro vivace

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

5:37

Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98

IV. Allegro energico e passionato - Più allegro

London Philharmonic Orchestra

10:20

Shostakovich: Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op. 47

II. Allegretto

Philharmonia Orchestra

5:28

Mendelssohn: Scottish Symphony in A minor, Op. 56

II. Vivace non troppo

Freiburger Barockorchester and Pablo Heras-Casado

4:29

F. Price: Symphony No. 4 in D minor

I. Tempo moderato

Fort Smith Symphony

15:10

Schubert: Symphony No.9 in C major, D944

3. Scherzo (Allegro vivace)

San Francisco Symphony

13:54

Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor

V. Im Tempo des Scherzos. Wild herausfahrend - Wieder zurückhaltend - Langsam. Misterioso

Ruby Hughes

34:08

Górecki: Symphony No.3, Op. 36

Symphony No 3 op. 36 Lento e largo - Tranquilissimo

Teresa Erb

8:51

Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90

III. Poco allegretto

Chamber Orchestra of Europe

6:00

Beethoven: Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op. 125

4. Presto. Allegro assai

Irmgard Seefried

17:00

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, Op. 74

Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique": II. Allegro con grazia

Berliner Philharmoniker and Kirill Petrenko

7:38

Prokofiev: Symphony No.5 in Bb major, Op. 100

4. Allegro giocoso

Berliner Philharmoniker

9:48

Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

1. Un poco sostenuto - Allegro - Meno allegro

The Cleveland Orchestra

16:12

Bruckner: Symphony No.7 in E major, WAB107

II. Adagio. Sehr feierlich und sehr langsam

Kent Nagano

21:55

Shostakovich: Symphony No.10 in E minor, Op. 93

II. Allegro

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

4:09

Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, Op. 25

III. Gavotta: Non troppo allegro

Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo

1:26

Mahler: Symphony No.9 in D major

Symphony No. 9: IV. Adagio. Sehr langsam und noch zurückhaltend

Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Daniel Harding

26:23

Sibelius: Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 43

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43: I. Allegretto

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra & Mariss Jansons

9:06

Copland: Symphony No.3

IV. Molto deliberato (Freely, at First)

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

14:54

Farrenc: Symphonie No.3 in G minor, Op. 36

III. Scherzo. Vivace

Solistes Européens, Luxembourg

7:34

Mahler: Symphony No.1 in D major

I. Langsam, schleppend

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

16:55

Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 in C minor, Op. 78

3. Maestoso - Allegro

Gaston Litaize

7:28

Curated by

Mary Elizabeth Kelly

Primephonic Curator

About this playlist

From stirring openings to flourishing finales and all the beautiful themes in between, this list will guide you through the evolution of the symphony from its beginnings in 18th Century Germany through to today. Drawing on themes as diverse as love and war, and inspired by everything from travel to grief, the symphony is an enduringly fascinating musical form.

Curated by

Mary Elizabeth Kelly

Primephonic Curator

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